Restoration of Peace in Nagaland

The restoration of peace in Nagaland is one of the most important segments of the history of Nagaland. It pertains to the efforts taken to restore peace and order in the state of Nagaland.

Before and after independence, the Naga ethnic people and some extremists took part in a number of revolts demanding the separate identity of the Naga people outside the administration of the Indian government. Nagaland was declared a separate and full-fledged state in the year 1963. After this declaration, a lot of initiative was being taken to resolve the existing political problems.

A very significant name in this context is the Nagaland Baptist Church Convention or the NBCC. In the third convention, the Nagaland Baptist Church Convention took the decision to usher in peace in the state. This convention was held between the 31st of January and the 2nd of February in the year 1964. At this convention, about five thousand people belonging to the different Nagaland ethnic tribes were present. In this convention, the government was offered the suggestion to take the help of Mr Shankar Deva, Mr Jayaprakesh Narayan, Mr Michael Scott and Mr Bimala Prasad Chaliha.

On the basis of this convention, the well known 'Peace Mission' was established. Mr Michael Scott, who was an Anglican churchman and Mr Jayaprakesh Narayan, a Sarvodaya leader and a devout Gandhian had big roles to play in this mission of peace in Nagaland. Another eminent figure associated with this mission was Mr B P Chaliha, the then chief minister of Assam .